Tribunal watch: Unfair dismissal over social media “selfie” wearing Osama Bin Laden mask

A worker who placed on social media a “selfie” of himself wearing an Osama Bin Laden mask at work was unfairly dismissed, a tribunal has ruled. Stephen Simpson rounds up this and other employment tribunal decisions reported in the past week.

Osama Bin laden facemask selfie saw Devon dairy worker unfairly sacked, tribunal rules
A tribunal has found that a dairy worker sacked after he put on a rubber Osama bin Laden facemask at work and took a “selfie” was unfairly dismissed, reports the North Devon Journal.

However, the tribunal said that his award, which would be decided at a later date, should be cut by 60% because he had contributed to his own dismissal.

Other tribunal decisions in the headlines

Disability discrimination: tribunal applies ECJ decision to define claimant’s obesity as a disability A Northern Ireland tribunal has applied the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision in FOA, acting on behalf of Karsten Kaltoft v Billund Kommune [2015] IRLR 146 ECJ that obesity can by itself amount to a disability.

Tribunal finds Greater Manchester Police victimised black police officer, leading to fresh claims of “institutional racism” An employment tribunal has ruled that Greater Manchester Police discriminated against and victimised a black police officer by failing to investigate his complaints of racism, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Firms urged to tackle mental health discrimination after worker receives almost £40,000 payout A worker at Scotland’s national tourism board has been awarded almost £40,000 by an employment tribunal after she was sacked following a period of sick leave for depression, says the Scottish Herald.

Equality Commission “must pay £8,000 for sex discrimination” A solicitor has been awarded £8,000 after she won a sex discrimination case against her employer, the Equality Commission, according to the BBC.

Librarians “should have had warning” An employment tribunal has found that the National Library of Wales unfairly dismissed two members of staff when they should only have received a warning, reports the BBC.

Former St Neots town clerk wins claim for unfair dismissal against the town council A former town clerk has won a case for unfair dismissal against St Neots Town Council, the Hunts Post says.

Sacked town clerk heavily criticised in damning judgment – procedurally council got it wrong but report says they were right to fire him A sacked Wisbech town clerk Erbie Murat has been heavily criticised in a damning judgment by an employment tribunal where he alleged unfair dismissal against his former employers, according to the Wisbech Standard.